09/09/2015
offset letterpress printing difference
Letterpress
Letterpress is a beautiful form of printing, especially for invitations and statement pieces. This mode of written communication utilizes metal type, setting each hand cast lead character next to another to form words. Contemporary letterpress printing is essentially a relief printing process. If you can imagine a linoleum block or woodcut, where the raised area is the surface that is inked, and other areas are cut away to create the negative space – you are envisioning a simplified explanation of letterpress printing.
Each impression is achieved as paper is fed through the press by hand or with a simple air-feed automated process. Metal plates allow us to use digital files to accurately replicate the design, and these plates can be saved for future reprints, or recycled after use. Since letterpress printing is a relief process, typically the impression creates a debossed area in the paper. Its add alot of character and depth to the final piece.
Offset
Offset or lithographic printing, is a planographic process. This is means there is no easily visible raised or depressed surface. Instead, thin metal plates carry the image and imprint to the paper. The image area on the plate is created through a photographic process involving film. Then the plate is placed or “hung” around a revolving cylinder, where a water-moistened roller wets the surface of the plate and ink is introduced by yet another set of rollers. The water helps to wash the ink away from non-image areas on the metal plate, assuring a nice smooth coverage of ink left only on the areas intended for print. The inked area is transferred (or “offset”) onto a rubber blanket that then transfers the final print to paper.
Metal offset plates are known for their quality, consistency, durability, and sharp, superior printing can be preserved and used again for future runs, or recycled. High quantities and large runs are usually printing on an offset press. There are numerous ink colors available for both printing methods. These are called SPOT or PANTONE colors. the PMS swatch (pantone matching system) is a book of different color families with an individual spot/pms color assigned to it. These are universal, which is very important for corporate printing, to maintain color consistency each time!
